Engineering Sector HIV/AIDS Policy launched in Zimbabwe
The Engineering, Iron and Steel Industry in Zimbabwe launched a Workplace Policy on HIV and AIDS, TB and other opportunistic illnesses.
16 June 2016
ILO NEWS (Harare): The Engineering Sector HIV/AIDS Policy was launched in Zimbabwe on June 15, 2016 in Harare. The launch was officiated by Hon. Priscah Mupfumira, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
The policy provides a framework and sets standards for the effective prevention and management of HIV and AIDS. This is especially important as the Engineering, Iron and Steel Industry is male-dominated and at times involves high mobility. The policy articulates strategies on how to address specific issues such as upholding confidentiality and ensuring gender equality, and outlines the specific roles of the various stakeholders in this Industry in HIV/AIDS response.
In her remarks, the Hon. Minister said ‘…the bold initiative made by the Engineering sector to come up with a robust HIV workplace policy is commendable and should be emulated by the 36 sectors out of 48 employment councils that do not have a sector policy in place yet.’ She also highlighted the importance of continuous engagement through social dialogue on issues of common interest for the improvement of conditions of employment at the workplace. In particular, stressing the need to diligently place the issue of HIV/AIDS at the centre stage of our mandates, coupled with the new phenomena of wellness so as to attain a high degree of physical and mental astuteness in the workplace.
Supporting messages were also delivered by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the National AIDS Council, and the technical partners ILO and SWHAP. A general call was made from various speakers to ensure the operationalization of the policy into effective programmes at sector and enterprise levels.
The ILO commended Zimbabwe for domesticating the ILO standard, 'Recommendation Concerning HIV and AIDS and the World of Work' (Recommendation 200), through the revision of Statutory Instrument (SI) 105 of 2014 (formerly SI-202 of 1998) - the primary piece of legislation guiding the private sector response to HIV/AIDS – and the formulation of the National Workplace HIV and AIDS Policy.
Testimony from an Aircraft Engineer living with HIV shared his story and highlighted the challenges of stigma and discrimination in the workplace. The testimony also emphasised the importance of adherence to Anti-Retroviral Treatment, an issue that remains a challenge in Zimbabwe. Edutainment was also available in the form of a drama and poetry, which communicated advocacy messages on HIV Testing and Counselling, myths and misconceptions, stigma and discrimination, treatment adherence and the role of the family and community in care and support. In addition, wellness testing services such as HIV testing and counselling services, blood pressure checks, BMI calculations and blood sugars tests were made available on site during the launching ceremony.
The ceremony was attended by stakeholders from the sector which included employer representatives affiliated to the Engineering Iron and Steel Association of Zimbabwe (EISAZ) and workers representatives affiliated to the National Engineering Workers Union (NEWU).
The ILO and the Swedish Workplace HIV/AIDS Programme (SWHAP) provided technical and financial resources for the development and printing of the policy document. The process to develop the policy included both employers and workers representatives as well as the industry’s National Employment Council (NEC).
The policy provides a framework and sets standards for the effective prevention and management of HIV and AIDS. This is especially important as the Engineering, Iron and Steel Industry is male-dominated and at times involves high mobility. The policy articulates strategies on how to address specific issues such as upholding confidentiality and ensuring gender equality, and outlines the specific roles of the various stakeholders in this Industry in HIV/AIDS response.
In her remarks, the Hon. Minister said ‘…the bold initiative made by the Engineering sector to come up with a robust HIV workplace policy is commendable and should be emulated by the 36 sectors out of 48 employment councils that do not have a sector policy in place yet.’ She also highlighted the importance of continuous engagement through social dialogue on issues of common interest for the improvement of conditions of employment at the workplace. In particular, stressing the need to diligently place the issue of HIV/AIDS at the centre stage of our mandates, coupled with the new phenomena of wellness so as to attain a high degree of physical and mental astuteness in the workplace.
Supporting messages were also delivered by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the National AIDS Council, and the technical partners ILO and SWHAP. A general call was made from various speakers to ensure the operationalization of the policy into effective programmes at sector and enterprise levels.
The ILO commended Zimbabwe for domesticating the ILO standard, 'Recommendation Concerning HIV and AIDS and the World of Work' (Recommendation 200), through the revision of Statutory Instrument (SI) 105 of 2014 (formerly SI-202 of 1998) - the primary piece of legislation guiding the private sector response to HIV/AIDS – and the formulation of the National Workplace HIV and AIDS Policy.
Testimony from an Aircraft Engineer living with HIV shared his story and highlighted the challenges of stigma and discrimination in the workplace. The testimony also emphasised the importance of adherence to Anti-Retroviral Treatment, an issue that remains a challenge in Zimbabwe. Edutainment was also available in the form of a drama and poetry, which communicated advocacy messages on HIV Testing and Counselling, myths and misconceptions, stigma and discrimination, treatment adherence and the role of the family and community in care and support. In addition, wellness testing services such as HIV testing and counselling services, blood pressure checks, BMI calculations and blood sugars tests were made available on site during the launching ceremony.
The ceremony was attended by stakeholders from the sector which included employer representatives affiliated to the Engineering Iron and Steel Association of Zimbabwe (EISAZ) and workers representatives affiliated to the National Engineering Workers Union (NEWU).
The ILO and the Swedish Workplace HIV/AIDS Programme (SWHAP) provided technical and financial resources for the development and printing of the policy document. The process to develop the policy included both employers and workers representatives as well as the industry’s National Employment Council (NEC).